The Reds boss revealed on Thursday that the Italian would not be moving in the January transfer window even though he is still awaiting his first league goal for Liverpool after his £16m move from AC Milan last August.

His last two performances – as a substitute against Sunderland last Saturday and the FA Cup tie at AFC Wimbledon – have registered some improvement in sharpness and he now looks set for another few months to finally make his mark at Anfield.

Rodgers said he had spoken with Balotelli and the 24-year-old had indicated to him he was keen to stay with the Reds and battle for a starting place.

The Ulsterman said: “He does (want to stay). I think that is the case with him.

“He does care about doing well for Liverpool and wants to do well but it just hasn’t gone as he would have wanted.”

Balotelli has scored just twice in 18 games for the Reds, fuelling the speculation that he might be moved on, although any deal would now appear unlikely before the end of the season.

Rodgers himself has suggested Liverpool’s high pressing and intensity game is not part of Balotelli’s make-up – his lack of movement has regularly produced howls of ‘move’ from frustrated fans on the Kop this season – but he insists the former Manchester City title winner will still get the chance to fulfil his potential with the Reds.

“This is a club you will get every opportunity to shine,” he said.

“This is a group that is very close-knit, very tight, the spirit is strong and you can work your way into that by working hard and you will get your rewards for that. We’ve seen that over the last two and a half years.

“There is a lot of speculation about Mario – but in January he is a player we want to still have here, like the other players, and as I said we want as many good players as we can between now and the end of the season. He is not one we want to move.”

Juventus has been mooted as a possible destination should Balotelli exit Anfield, though even his own agent Mino Raiola had suggested Liverpool was his last chance at the very top level when he arrived last summer.